By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a new and significant exit benefit for retiring federal civil servants, granting them a gratuity equivalent to 100 per cent of their total annual emoluments.
The approval, which takes retroactive effect from January 1, 2026, was announced in a statement on Thursday by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. The scheme is designed to bolster the welfare framework within the federal civil service, ensuring financial security for officers who have dedicated a minimum of ten years to national service.
According to the statement, the council’s approval followed a comprehensive review of recommendations submitted by an inter-ministerial technical committee established by the Head of Service. The committee, in collaboration with the National Pension Commission (PenCom), the Budget Office of the Federation, and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, developed a sustainable framework for the new scheme.
This new gratuity is designed to complement the existing Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). Its primary aim is to strengthen retirement income security for civil servants in treasury-funded ministries, extra-ministerial departments, and agencies.
Commending the council for its decision, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, described the approval as a landmark move. She stated that it clearly demonstrates the Tinubu administration’s recognition of the dedication, sacrifice, and professionalism exhibited by federal civil servants.
“This approval is a profound acknowledgement of the invaluable contributions of our civil servants who have devoted their productive years to public service and national development,” Mrs. Walson-Jack said. “The exit benefit scheme significantly enhances the retirement package of our officers and boosts confidence in the federal government’s commitment to their welfare.”
Mrs. Walson-Jack also noted that the initiative aligns with ongoing reforms aimed at cultivating a more motivated, performance-driven, and people-centred civil service. She assured that detailed implementation guidelines would be issued in due course.
The reintroduction of this gratuity package for federal civil servants comes 22 years after the establishment of the Contributory Pension Scheme.
